FOXBORO – The Patriots jumpstarted Week 2 of the NFL season without a few notable players at practice as Dont’a Hightower and Danny Amendola were absent on Wednesday. The paired suffered injuries in the team’s opening season loss to Kansas City.

Hightower exited the game with a knee injury. According to the NFL Network, the injury is an MCL sprain and the team isn’t ruling out the possibility of the edger rusher to play this weekend against New Orleans. Amendola suffered a head injury last Thursday and is currently in the concussion protocol. Players can’t practice until they pass the required tests after suffering head injuries. The receiver is also dealing with a knee injury.

The loss of both players would put the Patriots in a tough spot this weekend. Without Hightower, the Patriots would likely rely on Harvey Langi or Cassius Marsh. Without Amendola, the Patriots are left with three healthy receivers in Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett. The Pats also have options on the practice squad with receivers Demarcus Ayers and Cody Hollister as well as edge rusher Geneo Grissom.

Vincent Valentine (knee) and Matthew Slater (hamstring) were also absent for the Patriots on Monday. Limited in practice, was Devin McCourty (groin), Marcus Cannon (ankle), Adam Butler (knee), Nate Ebner (shoulder), and Cameron Fleming (ankle). McCourty and Canon are new additions to the injury report.

The Patriots also added defensive back Ryan Lewis to their practice squad. The undrafted free agent played in college at Pittsburgh. He replaced the spot left by D.J. Foster, who is now in Arizona.